Grey County Agricultural Services continues to offer courses through its Winter Course program. Please see below for a list of still-upcoming courses. To register, please email info@greyagservices.ca.

Course 17: Silvopasturing with Sheep, with Sheep with Carrie Woolley.  For the past 9 years sheep farmer Carrie Woolley has been integrating her sheep flock into fruit orchards and woodlots in a practice known as silvopasture.  Learn about her challenges & experience in converting farm woodlots into silvopastures where tree, animal and forage management combine to create an environmentally-sustainable system.  Carrie will discuss the planning process and steps taken to converting a woodlot into silvopasture, animal management within the system, environmental benefits and challenges faced along the way.  Carrie will also briefly discuss orchard grazing which itself is another type of silvopasturing that has been a large part of her sheep operation. This course will be offered as a WEBINAR on Tuesday March 22 2022 from 7-9 pm. Course Fee: $15.00. Beef Course Part 2: What Does it Take to be a Profitable Cow-Calf Producer? With John Molenhuis of OMAFRA What makes a successful farm?  The Canadian Cow-Calf Cost of Production Network benchmarked cost of production for different cow-calf production systems across Canada.  This session will showcase what we learned from producers through the COP Network. And: Calculating the Net Benefit of Grazing Cover Crops for your Farm with James Byrne of OMAFRA. Growing and grazing cover crops is very rewarding. But do you know how much it really costs to grow a cover crop and how to calculate the benefit of grazing a cover crop. In this hands on training session learn about all the costs associated with growing a cover crop, the economic returns of grazing a cover crop and learn how to calculate the net benefit. This course will be offered as a WEBINAR on Wednesday March 23rd 2022 from 7-9 pm. Course 19: How to Have the Garden You Want! With the Grey County Master Gardeners. This fast-paced workshop will provide you with a practical guide that takes you from dreaming about your garden to being done! For whatever type of garden you want – vegetable, annuals, perennials, shade gardens – you will start with their template, and they will help you determine your priorities, make your plan, and consider options. Along the way they will provide you with information, practical exercises and reference information to assist you in achieving the garden that works for you!  Grey County Master Gardeners are a group of trained volunteers who offer non-biased, science based horticultural information and advice to home gardeners and community groups. Established in 1996, the Grey County Master Gardeners are a member group of Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc, (MGOi). This course will be offered as a WEBINAR on Thursday March 24 2022 from 7-9 pm. Course Fee: $15.00. Course 20: Horse Night – Colic First Aid with Dr. Tee Fox, and Dr. Marika Van Schaik, both of Markdale Veterinary Services. More details to follow. This course will be offered IN-PERSON at Grey Ag Services on Tuesday March 29 2022 from 7-9 pm.  Course Fee: $15.00. Course 21: Pressure Canning with Martha Rogers, Master Food Preserver, Cornell University Extension.  Low acid foods like vegetables, meats and poultry require pressure canning for safe long-term storage. This session will examine the science underpinning pressure canning, explore the equipment needed, and will demonstrate pressure canning using green beans. If you’ve thought of pressure canning as a novice or would like to review your skills, join us, learn and share. Pressure canning will allow you to expand self-sufficiency for you and your family.  This course will be offered as a WEBINAR on Thursday March 31 2022 from 10-11:30 am. Course Fee: $15.00. Course 22: Getting Started with Records for Small Ruminant Producers with Delma Kennedy of OMAFRA and Erin Massender.  Learn how to use simple online tools or summary forms to calculate basic flock or herd statistics to track performance and improve production. This course will be offered IN-PERSON at Grey Ag Services on Thursday April 7 2022 from 7-9 pm. Course Fee: $15.00.